My father Al and I in 1973 opened for business, in Tucson, a military surplus store.

Our store looked very different then. Weather balloons, parachutes, gurneys and ammo cans are just a few of the items that littered the floors and stocked the shelves.

The surplus followed to a store in Phoenix, and then up the hill to where we sit today. Most of those surplus items are now gone. You can still come for an ammo can, as many a river runner knows. As most of you know, our specialty is backpacking, hiking and just about any other “outdoors” related activity our little neck of the woods is so rich with.

“If its Outdoors – It’s Us!” became a more applicable tagline moving us forward into a different direction as we transitioned from surplus to outdoor gear.

Yes, the “Surplus” in our name is more of a call to our heritage now.

It has been a fun ride, a life I wouldn’t change. As we look to the future, we honor our past. Flagstaff is not my hometown, but it has become my home and community.

As we celebrate 37 years in Flagstaff, I wanted to extend a heartfelt “Thank-You” to the community that transformed Peace Surplus from its humble Tucson beginnings into what we are today. Which, I hope, is Flagstaff’s favorite outdoor store!

Thank-You, Flagstaff! Without you, there is no Peace Surplus. For that, I am most appreciative and forever grateful.

Help us celebrate this year as we mark our 40th Anniversary! Stop by the store on the evening of July 12 for a special anniversary party to include live music from Diamond Down String Band, food and drinks, as well as great SALES!!